Unhappy Customer - Advice needed..
02-09-2016, 10:53 PM
#31
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 11
Lots of great advice! Thanks again to all the latest posters. Just some additional info on many of the quilts for quilting in my area - Along with the awesome quilts that you guys are quilting (which I'm not good enough to work on) there are the Walmart sale fabrics quilts, the cotton sheets used for backing, the occasional 'cut up my old velour jumpers' and used those old polyester pants of dad's - and this particular customer is a Sister (yep the religious kind) - so not a lot of disposable income for some. This is the reason I was charging the area's going rate of .01. I assumed (yep.. it always gets ya) that since the going rate was common knowledge I believe she knew what she was agreeing to. I think she figured $80 was a lot of money and that I wouldn't charge above $50. Anyway, I only thought to do quilting for others to offset some of my own quilting expenses - just a few hundred a year. But, hearing about the hassles...I'm thinking its not worth the effort. I'm gonna become Cinderella and stay in my own little corner of my own little room. :-) However, if I do any quilting for others in the future.. I will definitely make sure customer and I are on the same page!
02-10-2016, 01:50 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
I think you were right in sticking to your price. However, in the future you might consider giving a written estimate in advance so that the customer sees the full price up front. You also have the right to refuse a quilt after you see it, if it involves more work than you are prepared to do for that price. I imagine her sister had already refused to quilt this for her.
02-10-2016, 04:00 AM
#33
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 15,368
Sometimes I have found that I say things I wish I had worded differently, however to tell her to take the next one to her sister was exactly what I would have told her. Makes one wonder, if her sister was so inexpensive and good, why did she decide not to use her? Best wishes with your business.
02-10-2016, 04:03 AM
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Guelph, On. -
Posts: 2,021
I have a form we full out together showing size of each piece, price, special requests and quilting description. Everyone signs or initials Before I mount their quilt. Then there are no surprises.
To this day I have difficult discussing money with customers. Having a printed requisition helps.
To this day I have difficult discussing money with customers. Having a printed requisition helps.
02-10-2016, 05:24 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,666
I am sorry for your bad experience also! I agree with the previous comments that agree your price was fair, you were right not to change your price, and I too would let your guild know about her!
Last edited by red-warrior; 02-10-2016 at 05:24 AM. Reason: line dropped
02-10-2016, 05:24 AM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,931
Your protection is professionalism. Have paperwork to document the size of the quilt, price and total costs of what is included. Also have a clause about unforeseeable problems. i.e. too small back, waves ect. If you total it out before hand everything is up front and have them sign. You deserve to be paid. Some people may try to cut your prices on you after the fact but you will have documentation backing it up. Working for others in a personal business is hard but worthwhile if you are protected.
02-10-2016, 05:28 AM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,355
I think you were right in sticking to your price. However, in the future you might consider giving a written estimate in advance so that the customer sees the full price up front. You also have the right to refuse a quilt after you see it, if it involves more work than you are prepared to do for that price. I imagine her sister had already refused to quilt this for her.
02-10-2016, 05:40 AM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 1,999
...Along with the awesome quilts that you guys are quilting (which I'm not good enough to work on) there are the Walmart sale fabrics quilts, the cotton sheets used for backing, the occasional 'cut up my old velour jumpers' and used those old polyester pants of dad's - and this particular customer is a Sister (yep the religious kind) - so not a lot of disposable income for some. This is the reason I was charging the area's going rate of .01. I assumed (yep.. it always gets ya) that since the going rate was common knowledge I believe she knew what she was agreeing to. I think she figured $80 was a lot of money and that I wouldn't charge above $50..!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
